AUS vs IND: Five top knocks by Indian batsmen on Australian soil in recent history
It is always an interesting game of cricket to watch when the two powerhouses of world cricket, India and Australia face off against each other in the Australian team’s backyard. And, this closely contested rivalry has seen many players being tested to the core, with a select few of the lot coming through the test stronger than ever, registering their names in the record books. Here we have a look at the top 5 knocks from the Indian batsmen in Australia.
5. Virat Kohli (90* runs, 1st T20I, India tour of Australia, Jan 26 2016)
Virat Kohli has been given the title of ‘The Run-Machine’ for a reason, and that reason is clearly shown in his knock which he played in Adelaide on India’s Republic Day in 2016. India batting first in a T20 match, had the task of facing the likes of Shaun Tait and score runs at a brisk pace. And, it was then when Virat Kohli decided to lead the charge. He pulled the gear and started tonking the Aussie bowlers all over the ground. He faced just 55 balls and scored 90 runs not out while hitting as many as 9 fours and 2 sixes. MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina also chipped in at the end of the inning to boost the Indian total to 188 runs. The Australian batsmen found this total a little too much to chase, as they were bundled for 151 runs in 19.3 overs.
4. Yuvraj Singh (138 runs, 7th ODI, VB Series, Jan 22 2004)
Any list featuring the best knock by Indians against Australia would be incomplete without the mention of Yuvraj Singh in it. The stylish left-handed all-rounder, who was still in his early days in international cricket, played what would go on to be an inning that would define the way Indian batting would be shaped in the years to come. India were batting in the first inning of that match and Yuvraj had to make an early entry on to the pitch as the team had lost its premier batters in the start. But Yuvraj made sure that he would take the Australian bowlers, which included the likes of Brett Lee to the task. He smacked 16 fours and 2 sixes on the way to his 138 runs, as he faced 122 deliveries. Thanks to another century by VVS Laxman, India put up 296 runs on the board. But the rain gods played in favour of the Aussies as they won the match by 2 wickets and 1 ball remaining owing to the D/L method coming in. Yuvraj was rewarded for his efforts though, as he was handed the Man of the Match award for his batting.
3. Rohit Sharma (171* runs, 1st ODI, India Tour of Australia, Jan 12 2016)
Rohit Sharma 171* Vs Australia#13YearsOfHITMAN
pic.twitter.com/En0JXGkKKG— ? ? ?☀ ? (@MaihunDon_) June 22, 2020
The cricket ground in Perth hosting this One Day International match on the 12th of Jan in 2016 saw hell breaking loose on the bowlers as the batsmen went on to score runs left and right. From the Indian camp, it was Rohit Sharma who led the charge. Sharma, who was opening the batting for his team made his intentions clear from the very first ball as he started sending great balls by some of the best modern-day Aussie bowlers in the crowd. En route to his score of 171 runs not out, Sharma faced 163 deliveries and hit 13 fours and 7 sixes. His inning helped the Indian team post 309 runs on the board. But it was unfortunately not enough for them to stop the Australian team, as they clinched the match by 5 wickets.
2. Rahul Dravid (233 runs, 2nd Test, India tour of Australia, Dec 12-16 2003)
So much class! Enjoy this epic knock from batting maestro Rahul Dravid at the Adelaide Oval in 2003.
Read his Legends Month profile HERE: https://t.co/oIdQ3TZaZQ pic.twitter.com/YkHx4Oluxe
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) May 18, 2018
Rahul Dravid’s this inning would surely be one of his favourite knocks ever if he was ever to name one. This inning was so special that the team’s captain at the time, Sourav Ganguly, said,’ Rahul batted like a god.’ So, there’s nothing much that can be added to this. Rahul Dravid put his brilliance on show in the second inning in the match, where India were trying to get past Australia’s mammoth first inning total of 556 runs. Dravid came in to bat when the team’s total was 66 runs, and was the last batsman to get dismissed, and at that time, the Indian team had put up 523 runs on the board. His inning lasted for 446 deliveries where he scored 233 runs. In the second innings of team India, Dravid followed it up with another 70 runs. There was no looking back for the Indian team, as they went on to win the match and Dravid was given the deserving Man of the Match award.
1. Sachin Tendulkar (241* runs, 4th Test, India tour of Australia, Jan 2-6 2004)
The highest ever score by an Indian on the Australian soil came from the bat of the man himself, the Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar. This is unarguably one of the most memorable innings of his entire career. Sachin took it to himself to guide his team to a mammoth total in the very first inning of the match and ended up scoring a record-breaking double century himself. He scored 241 runs off 436 deliveries and walked back to the pavilion not out. India put on a total of 705 runs for the loss of 7 wickets and 211 for 2 wickets in their second inning. In response to which the Aussies scored 474 all out and 357 for 6 wickets in their two innings. The match eventually ended in a draw but left behind a lot of memories for the fans to cherish.
